Anthem 225 verses B&K EX 4420 and PT 3

geppy1

I have a B&K EX 4420 and PT 3 . Am I improving things by going to an Anthem 225 integrated? I just like integrateds better but do not want to go backwards Speakers are PSB Golds. Power is not an issue for either setup. Last time I heard the 225 I thought it was kind of dry.Thanks

hochpt21

I preferred my B&K 200.2 very slightly over the Anthem 225. The Anthem was solid in every respect, but you're 'dry' assessment aligns with mine.

The B&K was just straight up more musical.

I do not know how the B&K 200.2 compares to the EX 4420 and PT 3, however.

Hope that helps.

hochpt21

Here are some personal thoughts from a thread I had going back in 2014...

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"Got her (the Anthem 225) all hooked up. Haven't had time alone to do critical listening, but my initial general observations are quite good.

Bass like a ****. Not obnoxious, but tight and weighty. I like it.

Soundstage is wide, but not necessarily deep.

When I play a regular cd, the dynamics seem to be lacking, but at this point I attribute to taking the DAC out of the chain because SACD still sounds good. When I previously ran the Oppo through the DL3...regular cd's sounded pretty much as good as SACD straight from the Oppo, but now that's not the case.

I'll have to spend more time with it for sure and possibly look into getting a universal player with a better DAC to really compare."

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"Had half a minute today, so I switched the B&K back in the loop.

GCPH direct to B&K 200.2 Reference.

Damn...the B&K issimply more engaging. My ear is still developing, but it pisses me off because this is obvious.

I want the Anthem to work because I need the space."

tonyb

I might also agree on the tad dry assessments. If you want an integrated that's more musical, look at some Musical Fidelity ones....even their vintage stuff like the 308 is very musical.

Tubes is another story....

Conradicles

Geppy1, for what it's worth I found the PT3 to be a rather dull sounding Pre. I wanted to like it but just could not.

geppy1

I kind of ,like the pT3 as it has more body then most preamps today in that range. It also has a clear sharp image . Reminds me of Yamaha preamps of the late 80s with out the brightness. It would be nice if B&K would have made a remote controlled. preamp only. I do not recall one. The comment above about the dynamics on the 225 is dead on for me. I remember think what the h&&& with the dynamics because the Exposure made then Anthem sound like it was asleep. I felt like I had to turn the Anthem to get any thrill.

Nightfall

I didn't think the PT3 was terrible, but it wasn't my cup of tea either. You should try a tube preamp.

geppy1

Has anyone compared the following B&K amps first hand? I have EX 4420 and while great seems a little light in the bass. Not a big deal but just wondering.

ST 140 the 105 w/ch w blue stripe
ST 202
ST 2140
EX 442 Had one of these awhile ago but do not recall if it is much different then the 4420

tonyb

Light in the bass.....hmmm, shouldn't be. Maybe it's time for a refresh on the old bird.

Could be also your cabling holding it back ? Just thinkin' out loud....

geppy1

I screwed up on the bass thing The question on the differences in the amps is still of interest.